Will a general or local anaesthetic be used?
The operation is carried out under full general anaesthetic and this is regarded as the safest approach. Pure local anaesthesia is an uncomfortable way to perform a breast augmentation although Mr Turton has done this on a patient with an unresolved phobia. “Twilight anaesthesia” carries a level of risk of losing control of the airway if the patient’s level of consciousness falls and should be avoided unless there is a very specific reason to use this route. If a request is made for Mr Turton to perform a breast augmentation under twilight anaesthesia, he would still insist on a consultant anaesthetist being present to maintain the patient’s 100% safety. This should never be an area of compromise simply to reduce the cost of breast augmentation.
